Wounded Florence officer speechless as he is honored by crime watch group

FLORENCE, S.C. – One of the seven police officers who were shot in an Oct. 3 ambush was honored Monday evening by the Wilson Heights Neighborhood Crime Watch. Members of the organization called him their favorite police officer.

Florence police officer Travis Scott received a plaque from the crime watch organization at its Christmas dinner.

“It means a lot to me,” Scott said. “This place here has a special place in my heart.”

He added that he was speechless when he received the award. He said he didn’t realize how much the community cared for him and the other officers until something “drastic” happened.

“This right here really took the cake,” Scott added.

Scott was one of seven officers shot allegedly by Frederick T. Hopkins Jr. on Oct. 3. Scott was shot in the left side of his stomach.

The other officers shot were Sgt. Terrence Carraway, Florence County Sheriff’s Office Investigator Farrah Turner, Florence police Officers Scott Williamson and Brian Hart, Deputy Arie Davis and Investigator Sarah Miller of the Florence County Sheriff’s Office. Carraway and Turner died as a result of their injuries.

Scott added that he hopes to return to light duty in January.

Prior to the shooting, Scott served as a member of the city’s community action team. In that role, he said he presented the crime statistics to the group from Wilson Heights.

On Monday, Lt. Bob Drulis presented the crime statistics for the month of November. He said the neighborhood had a “great” month with only two crimes reported. The crimes reported were fraud and driving while suspended.